Baby giraffe at Cincinnati Zoo dies

Zuri was born in April and broke her leg on May 19. Zoo staff spent the last six weeks casting, examining and re-casting Zuri.

Zoo veterinarians determined Friday that the bone had become severely fragmented, ending any hope for recovery. The injury led zoo staff, with the help of local equine specialists, to make the difficult decision to euthanize Zuri.

“Decisions like that are made based on the animal’s quality of life,” Dave Oehler, director of animal collections at the Cincinnati Zoo, said of the death, “The undeniable pain this has caused our staff and community is a testament to the impact Zuri had on us all. She will not be forgotten.”

Zuri’s mother, Tessa, and father, Kimba, remain together at Giraffe Ridge in the zoo.